Abstract

Obtaining quality research that can benefit country development requires systematic management
of relevant agencies including research funding agencies. This study aimed to provide research funding
agencies recommendations regarding the management of health research in Thailand. The study was
carried out by reviewing literature and documents related to experience in health research management of both national and international government research funding agencies. Additionally, key informant
interviews and focus group discussions with experts involved in research systems were conducted.
The study analyzed and compared research management components of various countries with
those of the Thai research funding agencies under 9 different dimensions. The study showed that health
research management in Thailand still needed to be developed. In particular, health research management
needs to focus on the coordination of relevant agencies in national health research policy formulation,
reduction of budget support in unclear strategies, development and increase in the role of research
managers in order to support research utilization, and lastly, monitoring and evaluation using comprehensive
indicators to measure input, process, output and impact of research.